To be honest, one year ago i didn't plan to join any international work camp.
But my life changed by a sunny day of may 2008. I was intern for National Youth Commission then and my office was at the 14th floor in a huge building close to NTU Hospital.
去年以前我沒有想到有一天會參加國際工作營。2008年五月低充滿陽光的天發生了一件重要的事 我那個時候在青輔會實習（行政院青年輔導委員會）辦公室在台大醫院附近的大樓 (14樓..好高ㄟ)
As usual, I felt lost and was thinking about a new post to publish in NYC travel blog when someone slipped in the office. It was a young Taiwanese guy with a purple T shirt. I remember that i already saw this young man at youth hub (a center for young people where conference are held sometimes), but i didn't know his name and who he was. I just knew that he often dropped at our office... mysterious taiwanese!
我那一天想在青輔會Travel Blog 寫一篇有趣的文章，在我思考的過程中發現有人溜進辦公室來，是一個穿紫色T恤的台灣男生，好像在 Youth hub (青年資訊站)已經見過他；但是不知道怎麼稱呼他而且不了解他到底是誰..我只知道他經常來我們辦公室…好神秘的男生O_O
He began to speak with the fourth department chief (科長), at the desk just behind mine. He asked her if he could talk to me. She agreed, but i was surprised and wondered what is was about.
He came by my side, introduced himself briefly and say to me:
" Hello, my name is Miracle/嘉信. I work for Vision youth Action and i am in charge of organizing and leading international work camp in Taiwan. This summer we will hold a great summer camp in orchid island with young volunteers, we will take care of kids, and environmental work. Are you interested?"
他開始和第四處的科長交談，科長的辦公桌在我後面所以我聽到一些，他詢問科長是否可以和我聊聊。科長同意後，他走向我並自我介紹：
「嗨！我是Miracle/嘉信，我在願景青年行動網協會工作，工作內容主要是規劃台灣的國際工作營，並擔任當志工團隊的負責人。我們今年夏天在蘭嶼舉辦了一個很棒的工作營。我們會跟志工一起照顧當地的小朋友並進行環境保護的志願服務．．妳對這個計畫有興趣嗎？」
It sounded good so i asked more details, because my internship was ending soon and i had one more month to spend in taiwan.
聽起來很棒耶!!剛好我的實習快要結束，而且還有一個月的空檔，所以我向他詢問更多關於工作營的資訊。
When Miracle told me the summer camp will begin on june 20th to july 5th, i realized it perfectly matched with my available time left in taiwan... and i had already plan to visit orchid island (蘭嶼) but just for a couple of days only. When Miracle told me korean volunteers will be in too, I decide to cancel my first short trip and join the group (actually, i was hoping that i met handsome koreans ^_^).
嘉信告訴我Work Camp是於20/06開始到05/07為止，我覺得很巧！ 最巧的是本來報名在蘭嶼３～４天的旅程而且嘉信說幾個韓國志工將會參與這個計畫（我原來以為是韓國帥哥超開心^_^)。我馬上決定取消短程旅行。
Many days after, i received the so called " information sheet" which describes the programm of the work camp. I read the introduction of the island:
幾天之後 我就收到國際工作營的說明表 給每個志工詳細的資訊如每天的工作程. 此說明表上面寫:
" Lanyu, a beautiful small off-shore island, is next to Taitung County which locates in southeastern Taiwan. Lanyu is very famous for its abundant natural resources and beautiful scenery; furthermore, Tao (or Tau), one of the aboriginal tribes in Taiwan, is the major source of local culture in Lanyu. Both natural features and cultural uniqueness make Lanyu a special island colored by tribal culture. Most residents there are Tao aborigines, and some of them still speak in Tao native language. For those who are interested in different languages, it is a great chance of learning! "
蘭嶼 此美麗離岸的小島面臨南台的台東縣。蘭嶼豐富的天然資源以及漂亮景點非常出名。
另外，當地的達悟族 (台灣原住民的部落其中之一)使蘭嶼獨一無二的部落島。蘭嶼人口大不分屬於達悟族，目前他們其中有一些用達悟話說，認為達悟話當作母語。喜歡學外語的伙伴擁有一個非常有趣的機會！
Lanyu was definitely a place for me, i was more excited when i saw the challenges :
蘭嶼真的是理想的地方! 看說明表提到的挑, 覺得我越來越興奮:
"VYA will cooperate with Dongching primary school and the local community development associations in Lanyu to conduct a project that focuses especially on educational and environmental issues. We will teach children English/ foreign languages promote global vision through international cultural exchange events and help them acquire more knowledge about environmental protection with designed curriculums and outdoor activities."
願景青年行動網協會與東清國小重次在一起合作，今天舉辦針對教育以及環保的計畫。
志工們將會讓東清國小學童能夠親身感受到異國文化的豐富性，讓互動中所建立的跨國情誼及生動有趣的教學活動，透過環境教育活動，遊戲宣導資源回收、環境保護的觀念。
It sounded better than i imagined first, i was expecting the departure day and imagine what i could bring to orchid island and how to attract kids and give them intersting lessons.
Actually, the work camp begins first in your mind, when you have to figure out how it is supposed to be, what's your role etc. I had to prepare some videos/ pictures for the activities to come. A real intersting task! i also read that we could go snorkeling as a free time activity...so nice!!!! I really couldn't wait :)
看起來比原來自己想像做的服務好多，好期待出發的第一天阿！開始考慮一下什麼東西可以帶蘭嶼去來吸引小孩的注意，教好玩的外語課。
國際工作其實在腦子裡已開始，當志工以前就要猜一猜活動要怎麼安排，找到你未來的角色。我得準備一些介紹法國的小影片和照片。很有趣的事! 我也發現我們休閒時間將會在海潛艇..好酷！真的很期待ㄟ
During the following month, Miracle often call me to have news and told me more about the preparation of Work camp, he advices me, inform me about the weather, the things i need to bring with me, condition of living etc... It was easier since i was already in Taiwan unlike other foreign volunteers!
第二月時 嘉信經常打給我，告訴我多一些關於國際工作營的籌備，給我珍貴的建議(當地的天氣，生活方式如何，需要帶的東西等) 我因為已在台所以狀況比自從海外來的志工好。
Dear readers,
After I met Miracle, i decided to take part to Lanyu summer camp (Orchid Island). Actually, i already saw many pictures of the island but didn't imagine it was so beautiful. Let's turn back the time and begin the story of Orchid Island summer camp...
One year ago...
21/06/2008: On this Saturday morning of June, i am waiting at Taipei Railway Station, standing in the crowd and watching out for the volunteers team sign.
The sun doesn't rise yet, but i realize that a young girl with many luggage is standing too. Since both of us look lost in this huge and crowded hall, i decide to talk with her and directly ask if she is one of our volunteer group. She smiles to me, nodes her head and introduced herself to me:" I am Aero, from Taiwan" .
AERO
She looks so nice and young,but also very mature. It is her first time as a volunteer too, she impresses me by her calm. At this moment, i know we will get along easily.
Then, our Leader Miracle come, he is carrying a backpack bigger than him and i really wonder how such a thin guy can walk with such an heavy bag :/ I help him to carry many big food bags (feed 10 volunteers for 2 weeks is a hard job, you can not imagine what quantity you can eat every day til you don't carry it on your back argh! ^_^)
Three Korean volunteers are also following Miracle, Yoon 22 years old, Moonie, 20 years old (i didn't know she could speak Chinese ^_^) and An, 21 years old.
I am not used speaking in English because most of the time i am with my taiwanese colleagues but after a while, it become more natural for me to speak Shakespeare language.
Taiwanese volunteers join us many minutes after, but we are in a hurry and don't have the time to speak each other: the team is complete..Let's go, the departure is in 5 minutes O_O
Once all of us has found his/her seat, Miracle introduce himself to everyone and give out many leaflets about orchid island. We have to sit something like 5 hours before reaching Taitung (台東), famous town located on the East Coast.
I was so nervous last night, so excited that i didn't sleep very well and got up at 4.00 am. I discuss a little bit with Yoon who seats by my side but we are exhausted and fall asleep for a while. When i open my eyes, the landscape i can see through the window has changed, the Grey town with its endless hoardings and flashing lights is already far away, a fresh and blue seashore replaces my everyday (Taiwanese) life environment. It's a real pleasure to travel on the east coast and enjoy the beautiful scenery.I can't help imagine how Orchid Island looks like, i never traveled to the South of Taiwan before, i am like a little girl who explore a whole new world^_^
One hour later, we get Taitung and take Three different taxis heading us to airport. We have to weigh in our suitcase...and realize that 10kg are authorized by passengers..with my 12kg i am ok but most of them bring between 15 to 30kg to travel :(
Finally, we don't have any problem , i forgot exactly how we avoid over weigh fees... maybe because we need food, it is a good reason actually :)
We don't wait a long time, the small plane is already on the runway..i am quite surprised because i didn't imagine we could travel in such a plane before..sounds funny.
An & Miracle in the plane.
To know more: http://dongcing1.blogspot.com/
A local teacher pick us up at the airport, we discover the area in the minibus you can see on the picture (the yellow one, on the right side).
This minibus is a kind of local school bus and will carry us many time during the Work Camp..Lanyu is so small than there is no public transportation.
Once arrived, we suddenly stop in a place where local people are celbrating an event (a kind of local harvest festival). Lanyu inhabitants are wearing traditionnal clothes, singing and dancing..we are welcomed to try!
Oh my god..i'm so unprofessional argh!!
As you can see on the picture below, we can see a red christian Cross. I never thought that Aboriginal tribe were Christians, but then, i guess out that Western missionaries visited many tribal places a long time before Japanese army (obviously with not the same intention) and convert them to Catholicism instead of Buddhism. I'm not specialist on the topic but i think maybe one of you can explain why they are closest to Christian religion..
The we take part to a traditionnal "game" usually played by men only.But today is a special day and has guests we can join men team to have fun.
Each one of us hold a big wooden paddle and have to hit strongly (grind) some wheat by turns, to show our physical strengh ...let's see!
Some spectators..what a pressure!
But everyone is still relax..what a beautiful and sunny day.
Helen, the future English Teacher and one of the most charismatic volunteer!
An, Yoon, Moonie and I..
Carolyn and Miracle smiles..
Yicun (taiwanese) doing his best smiling....
This work camp first day is simply unforgettable!
Dear Readers,
2008/06/21: Our Volunteer team just arrive in Orchid island today, it's a hot and sunny saturday afternoon and we feel very thirsty after have taken part to a local harvest festival.Ah De teacher (on the left side in the following picture)welcomes us and drives the yellow bus that lead us to Dongcing elementary school (東清國小).
2008年06月21日：我們志工團隊今天剛到蘭嶼島天氣很好，今天是一個好熱的星期六下午！參與四年一度的達悟族野銀部落小米豐收祭，我們都很渴。阿德老師歡迎我們(下面的照片，左邊)開黃色的小Bus，帶我們去國小放行李。
Where is Doncing Elemantary school in Lanyu?
東清國小在蘭嶼哪裡?
The school is the place where we will live during two weeks. We settle down in the school library, our new headquarter! The room is large and nice. Locals have already put the tables and chairs away so that there is enough place for 10 people. A large rack divides the room in two, girls and boys will have their own territory!
I realize that we will have to sleep directly on the floor,i am not use to but when i sit down, i find it comfortable.
我們在學校將會住兩個星期。一到就把東西辦到圖書管裡，我發現直接睡在地板，我一點都不習貫但是坐一下看看...诶?!摸起來很舒服^_^
Yicun in the library...
Dong Cing Elementary School
Our volunteer team (from left to right): Aero,Helen, An (Korean with purple T shirt), Carolyn (Large smile !), Yoon, Moonie & Ellen.
The school is directly located on the shore, we just have to look in front of us to see the ocean, school classes are at the first floor, the library and computer room are on the second floor. We will use the balcony sink to brush our teeth every day...nice view!
Once settled, we discuss about the working program, we will have a rest during the week end and will visit the nuclear mill pond center tomorrow morning.The we plan to explore the island in riding motorbike in the afternoon to have a largest idea about the area..sounds great! Now we are a bit exhausted by such a long travel day. Most of us got up around 5am today and we struggle not to fall asleep actually.
We have a nap first and meet the kid for the first time, we even play with them in the ocean..a very intense moment!
Nice article about Lanyu by Autralian guys... http://sesquipedaustralian.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html
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